In a class of its own: School drama Waterloo Road relocates to Scotland

WATERLOO ROAD'S relocation to Greenock means more employment in the TV industry, however it does not mean the show will take on a Scottish identity as several of the original cast prepare to make the journey north of the border with the programme.

IN terms of storyline twists, it’s almost up there with Bobby’s dream in Dallas.

One month, Waterloo Road was a comprehensive school on the outskirts of Manchester, the next it’s an independent school on the banks of the lower Clyde.

That’s what BBC1 viewers will see next week, when the popular high school drama returns for a new term – in Greenock.

The much-publicised change comes after the supposed demise of the original English comprehensive, which coincided with the offer from an ex-pupil benefactor to set up a new school over the border.

In reality, it’s part of the BBC’s ‘nations and regions’ drive, to ensure more drama is produced not just in London, but across the country in other major BBC ­production hubs.

Scottish independent company Shed Productions, who have produced Waterloo Road from the start, remain at the helm as it crosses the border – a move which will see more Scots cast members appearing, including Laurie Brett (EastEnders), Alex Norton (Taggart) as well as a string of supporting actors.

This is in addition to incumbent Glaswegian headie Alec Newman.

It means more employment in the TV industry, as well as reputed financial kick-backs for the Inverclyde area.

But it won’t mean the show suddenly takes on a major Scottish identity. Several of the cast seen in recent series will make the journey north – the ones who survived the season seven finale bus crash, that is.

Former Holby City actress and Strictly Come Dancing star Jaye Jacobs is one.

Waterloo Road actress Jaye Jacobs

As deputy head teacher Sian Diamond – a character she describes as “a sweet-hearted science teacher “(albeit one who had an affair with the headmaster, and doesn’t seem to mind the fact that he’s now married either) – she’s one of a cast of 26 who now call the former Greenock Academy building her workplace.

She said: “It’s actually quite sweet that we’re filming in a real school. I can still see messages scrawled on the toilets and even through the paint in my dressing room saying things like, ‘Goodbye forever, Greenock Academy’.

“It really reminds you that this building used to be a real school for a long time. It’s kind of nice. It keeps the place alive.

“I’ve spoken to some people associated with the school, and have heard some of their stories about the place.”

Like most of the cast, Jaye makes the commute on filming days from her new home in Glasgow to Inverclyde.

“With River City across the River Clyde in Dumbarton, few if any are staying in or around Greenock and Gourock.

Jaye has come to appreciate the area for its stunning views, but admits she hasn’t sampled the local nightlife.

Most of the cast are of a similar point of view, and choose their words carefully.

The chances of seeing Alex Norton propping up the bar and admiring the stunning views of the Argyll hills from the ­surroundings of the Cafe Continental, a relative stone’s throw from the set, remain an outside bet so far.

Jaye said: “The view we have from the school is gorgeous, and you can see the water from the set.

“But I think we will get to see it more than the viewers will.

“It still looks like a school much like the old one. All we’ve done is open up a new school much like the old one, so I don’t think it’s too much a stretch of the imagination.

“It’s not like we’re suddenly standing in front of Kelvingrove Art Gallery filming.”

You might see Jaye there, through, on her downtime.

She said: “I’ve explored Glasgow but not so much Greenock yet, unfortunately.

“The film crew are mostly Scottish and they’ve been telling me where to go. I love what I’ve seen of Glasgow, and I’ve been impressed by how much culture there is.

“I’ve been to all the museums, and I love the fact Glasgow has so many ­independent shops, especially vintage ones.

“I’m a big fan of second-hand book stores, and like to get off the beaten track of the high street. I’ve been up to the Highlands and Loch Lomond, and down to the Borders where my boyfriend’s mum lives.”

Her boyfriend Ben, a film editor, isn’t Scottish, but his family ties have given Jaye a certain insight into some particular Scottish cultural nuances.

The high-carb diet for one.

She said: “I’ve discovered the potato scone roll. I get it in the BBC canteen down here.

“I like it, but it does seem to me a bit like having chips AND a baked potato. It’s carbohydrate loading, that’s for sure. But hey, I don’t mind that.”

She’s also familiar with other Scottish linguistic delicacies, and proudly reels off “up Sauchie, doon Buchie and alang Argyle” as if she’s Dorothy Paul herself, but delivers “ah dinnae ken” as if she’s learning to speak Mandarin.

Profile-wise, she certainly doesn’t feel that moving to Scotland has done her any harm.

An experience on a train out of Glasgow reassured her of this.

She said: “I was called ‘the girl from Holby City’ on a train. These girls spotted me and one of them realised I was in it.

“The others thought she said River City, though, and got more excited. When she pointed out to them it was Holby City, not River City, they were like, ‘...Oh’. So I’m in no doubt what the priorities are here.

“But there have been crowds of local people turning up to watch filming some days and that’s been really lovely to see.”

As for the storyline stretch, Jaye doesn’t consider it too much for viewers to get their heads around.

She said: “There has been a time-lapse at the start of the new series since the bus crash, and that’s when we learn who survived the bus crash, who was injured, who was killed.”